Blame Israel first

Barack Obama’s animus against Israel has been manifest in many ways from the first days of the administration. The administration views Israel as a thorn in its side and an obstacle to better relations with the Arab and Muslim regimes of the Middle East. According to Obama appointed U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Howard Gutman, Israel is even responsible for Muslim anti-Semitism. In a recent speech Gutman explained: “A distinction should be made between traditional anti-Semitism, which should be condemned, and Muslim hatred for Jews, which stems from the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.” See the Ynet News report on Gutman’s speech here. Omri Ceren responds here.

Incidentally, Ambassador Gutman got his job the old-fashioned way, but we shouldn’t hold that against him. Despite the statement released by the administration suggesting he was slightly off base, Gutman perfectly reflects the benighted views of the administration he serves.

As one can see from the speech given by Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta on Friday at the Brookings Institution. Among other things, Panetta argues that Israel is responsible for its own isolation and it must get cracking to get things moving in the right direction in the Middle East. Barry Rubin emits a cri de couer in response and Jonathan Tobin comments that this is an administration ready to blame Israel for everything. Bill Kristol speaks for me:

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta surveyed the Middle East and discovered that at every turn, the Jewish state is to blame for problems in the Muslim world. Are there Arab uprisings that are bringing Islamists to power and endangering peace with Israel? Israel must placate the radicals. Are there constant provocations and taunts from Turkey’s Islamist government? Israel must beg for better treatment. Do Palestinians refuse to negotiate? ‘Get to the damn table,’ Panetta thundered twice — as if Israel was refusing to talk, instead of the reverse.

Just about the only thing in the Middle East that President Obama hasn’t blamed Israel for is the Iranian nuclear program. But when it comes to this, too, instead of supporting crippling sanctions or preparing military strikes, the White House seems to spend more time deterring Israel from acting than deterring Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons in the first place. And the administration’s energy seems more focused on undermining Israel and those members of Congress pushing for a tougher approach to Iran, than in undermining the Iranian regime.

The Obama message is loud and clear: the world would be a safer, simpler, and more peaceful place if not for the troublesome Jewish state.

Israel can resolve the war waged against it by the Arab and Muslim world by packing up and shipping out. How churlish of Israelis to elect to defend themselves instead.